Thomson

It’s a heck of a way to run a pre-election campaign. On the eve of an expected election, politicians usually spend their time playing up good news, downplaying the bad, shaking hands and kissing babies.

Rock icons Rush raise more than half a million for Alberta flood relief

CALGARY - It's turning out to be a big week for Canadian rock legends Rush, with news that they've raised more than half a million dollars for flood relief in southern Alberta and are set to release a remixed version of their 2002 album, "Vapor Trails."

The power trio say their benefit concert in Red Deer, Alta., last week raised $575,000 — $400,000 of which will go to the Canadian Red Cross to support Alberta Flood Relief.

Another $125,000 will go to High River residents who were hit the hardest in the June flood, and $50,000 will go to local charities. Live Nation, Ticketmaster and the show's venue, Enmax Centrium, also donated fees associated with the gig.

"It is important to be a good neighbour in situations like these, and we are very grateful that we were able to amass such a huge sum that will undoubtedly help many of our fellow Canadians in need," Rush frontman Geddy Lee said in a statement.

"Thanks to our partners who joined us in the effort, to all the great fans from all over Alberta who attended the show, the workers who donated their time along with us, and those fans abroad that supported via the special Flood T-shirt."

Meanwhile, the group that also includes Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart have also announced a highly anticipated remixed "Vapor Trails" album will be available on CD, double LP and digital download on Oct. 1 from Anthem/Universal.

The recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees remixed the project with Grammy-winning producer David Bottrill. It comes three years after two tracks from "Vapor Trails" — "One Little Victory" and "Earthshine" — were remixed for the "Retrospective III" collection.

The original record came out after a lengthy hiatus that followed the deaths of Peart's daughter and her mother in separate incidents.

"Vapor Trails was an album made under difficult and emotional circumstances — sort of like Rush learning how to be Rush again — and as a result, mistakes were made that we have longed to correct. David Bottrill's remixes have finally brought some justice and clarity to this deserving body of our work," said Lee.

"Every song has been given a new life, from the fire of 'One Little Victory,' 'Secret Touch,' and 'Ceiling Unlimited' to the melodic musicality of 'Sweet Miracle' and 'How It Is'… these songs have been redeemed. Thank you David!"

The remixed album will be included in a new seven-disc boxed set of Atlantic Studio albums that will also hit stores on Oct. 1.

"The Studio Albums 1989-2007" features every studio album Rush recorded for the label, including the gold and platinum albums "Presto," "Roll The Bones," "Counterparts," "Test For Echo" and "Snakes & Arrows" as well as the covers EP "Feedback."